The BBC plans to make a net reduction of 130 roles in its news and current affairs department, ending interview programme Hardtalk, tech show Click and the Asian Network’s bespoke news service as part of a £24m cost-cutting drive.

The closures are part of a broader BBC plan to cut 500 jobs across the corporation by March 2026 in order to create a total of £700m in annual savings relative to 2022.

The proposals would see 185 roles closed in total in BBC news and current affairs teams, with 55 new roles opened.